I don’t quite know what it is about migratory game fish. Is it their strength? Could it be their tenacity for life, the nomadic existence? Recently these are the questions going through my head. Whatever the case may be, nearly everywhere they are found there is also a small subculture of individuals who devote a significant part of their lives trying to catch them. To the non-fishing outsider this world would rarely be understood and usually scoffed at. The dynamic is an interesting one. The scene usually involves a long drive or flight, sleep depravation, extreme bouts of adrenaline and elation followed by the inevitable crash and more caffeine. This is a tough game, not only on the body but on the mind and spirit as well. In most circumstances, people obsessed with chasing these fish have led a life of constant movement as well. Keep in mind this is just a theory, of which I have many and few, if any have been proven.The common thread that binds this type of individual, more often than not is an early exposure to catching fish. Looking back I would venture to say that 90% of the people I have fly fished with grew up with a spinning rod tucked away in the corner of the garage. Somehow, through a random series of events, it has transpired into a constant craving for migratory fish on a fly rod. Coincidence? Perhaps. I think it may go a bit further but there is a certain amount of mystique there so I’ll leave it alone.The plan was to divide and conquer. Two guys would head to a totally different river, the other two would stay on the main stem. In the evening we would compare notes and plan accordingly for the next day, “bird-dogging” is the jargon. I admit begrudgingly that Jason and I did not find the mother-load, although we did get into a few steelhead. When we met up that evening it was like Christmas Eve. Cheesy grins, sideward glances and then the laptop was flipped open and Jeremy set it on the hood of the truck. Huge, bright, angry steel was on the monitor and high fives all the way around. The next morning we rose well before first light, we trudged a mile or so over uneven terrain and joked with each about how filthy with them the run would be. Jeremy and Joey put us right in the key drifts as they were more than glad to share the wealth. What comes around goes around and never is that statement more fitting than in this situation. The anticipation was brutal as we waited for the October sun to show itself. The veil of darkness lifted slowly as I a placed my first cast in a slow moving seam. Two more was all it took and the surface of the water erupted into a silvery cart-wheel. As I played my fish out I glanced down river and could barley make out the silhouette of Jason’s rod as it bucked wildly over the weight of a hefty steelhead. Just as Jason and I had pointed them in the right direction in seasons past, the favor had been reciprocated and now we were reaping the benefits. The run was loaded with thick shouldered silver bullets and voracious hook-jawed brown trout. It was one of those times when you almost feel a little gluttonous by the end of the day, almost being the keyword here. It doesn’t shake out like this often but when it does the sense of accomplishment can be overwhelming.
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I’d buy the theory whippa! We all come around full circle at some point.
The vid is already one of my favorites. Some great shots of the fish tossing/tumbling down river and you guys battling the high water!
Heading for the Alley next week, I can only hope we have a day like that!
Thanks for sharing..tight lines
Wow, again a dynamic video with big steel jumpfull, such nice browns trouts really big with a beautifull dress.
Emulation works well and every one of you get a piece of the cake and for sure it was’nt a piece of cake.
You guys are mixing flyfishing with acrobatics movement along the shore of the river in the currents between rocks. You’ll finish to look like these steelhead you’re running after.
That’s one of the best videos to come off this site. Just killer. Im pumped for this weekend!
I am again highly motivated to take up my rods and head out. After the video I had to drinks Starbucks to calm down!!Sweeeeeee
whippa,
Well done!! What a vid. The shot of that pig jumping is great. You guys really got some solid footage. Nice music to go along with it. And I have to agree with you, outsiders don’t understand the quest for migratory fish. Hell I barely understand it.
Why do I even try???? This post is to good for comments
Austin
the video and story were awesome wippa!
Nice work guys. Whip, I like the last two lines of the read. “It was one of those times when you almost feel a little gluttonous by the end of the day, almost being the keyword here. It doesn’t shake out like this often but when it does the sense of accomplishment can be overwhelming.” Take em when you can get em cuz I can gaurentee you there will be more than one or two days in Jan and Feb this season where the takes will be few and far between. That being said, landing one on the freezing cold, slow days when you are the only one diseased enough to be out there can be pretty overwhelming too.
If I would want to fish any were out side the uk. THAT WOULD BE IT!
The video and music were amazing high energy fish busting rock n roll keep up the good work. Steelheading is the drug and I need a fix bad.
Peace
Unbelievable!!!! That was the best steelhead trip to date that I have been on. Great fishing, a lot of laughts and a killer group of friends. Dave, great article it really captured the essence of migratory fishermen, the passion and obsession that goes hand and hand with chasing these fish year to year. Jeremy, awesome job editing and producing the vid. Best to date thus far. Bear Claw, thanks for all the help landing the steel, one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. It was a pleasure fishing with all of you I look forward to doing it again real soon.
j-
ditto to everything joey said … what a sick season opener … the best part for me was that it was such a good trip with my core steelhead crew – joey, whip, and jason … would have been nice if kranefly were there too … we have all spent years together and solo – west coast and east chasing the steel and it was so sweet to have a day like that when were all together .. because its only about once or twice per year that we are all together ….. anyway, jason had to travel the furthest from the west coast … maybe next time we will go out to the west coast … washington, idaho, bc, alask .. jason is dialed into the west coast chrome … anywasy … what a great trip .. i had soooo much fun …
That was by far the best video I have viewed here…
Mindblowing fish!
Hey WHip, when you called and said you had a great trip…well we could have been on the phone another hour and we wouldn’t have covered it. It’s wierd that the fish were gone 2 days later but that’s steelheading and why a day like that is so special…of coarse they didn’t go far and some of those same fish spanked us around in the main channel. This is what it’s all about boys., If the steelheading gets any better, I’ll be divorced!!!
Agreed. Some of the finest steelheading I have been apart of. Over the past couple of years the term steelheading has changed drastically for me. No longer is it only about the catch but more importantly the events that lead up to it. Great effort guys, what a digital memory to have. I have had a serious itch for the Skeena or Babine for way to long. Lets get the train rolling….I want steel with sea lice on it!
disgustingly awesome!
That trip, those fish, the video, all years in the making. Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awsome video! I dont know how im going to be able to wait untill I can get to the rivers again next week after seeing this video!!
Aint no head like steelhead! Awesome job guys
Great Video Wow!! I had no idea the steelhead fishing has gotten so good ! I use to fish the area 15 years ago when j was young. By the looks of the last comments and video the NY state fishery has improved beyond the biologist wildest dreams! You have to love the staff and friends of Flies and Fins for bringing the cyber world the opportunity to live the fly fisherman dream. Thanks guys keep up the great work.
Joe-m
Whippa,
I will repeat some other posts, but this is the best video/music/steelie video I have seen to date. You guys absolutly killed it!
Wow! Whippa. Sick video. I’ve never seen such amazing browns! Love that shot of the massive kype coming at the camera. And great use of The Mountain song. Truly exciting to watch. The next best thing to actually having been there. Great job!
That is by far the best video I have seen on this site so far. Nice work Jeremy. What a trip. What can I say. Other than that I wish I was there. Thanks for sharing.
crippled but free….I was blind all the time I was learning to see
To say that was a killer vid would be an understatement. I buy into the theory too. I’m at the point in the cycle where I’ve only just begun to dabble with the long rod….This Video just sealed the deal. Thanks and keep crankin out the vids.
Killer video a must see for all passionate fishermen, we all have to hit the steelhead runs together here in Argentina.
http://www.patagoniaflies.ecrater.com
OH MY GOD. Whippa, when I met you guys on the grassy knoll Sunday and Shaq and Dave were talking about the video, I couldn’t wait to see it. This rocks!!! It’s getting to the point where I don’t know what I enjoy more, actually getting out there and catching these brutes or getting home and reliving the experience over and over. Tight lines until next time and keep the cameras dry. Laurens Legend.
Oh yeah, to any novices watching, watch how these boys bend those rods when fighting a fish. It’s the difference between release shots and watching fish scream downstream laughing at you
Dave,
Best video ever.
Salute the flag!